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Free Plugin of the Week – VK-1 Viking Synthesizer

For this week’s plugin, we have the VK-1 Viking synthesizer from the developers at blamsoft. They claim that it is an authentic emulation of a classic monophonic analog synth and through the use of the plugin we feel the same. The VST features three continuously variable wave oscillators, two ladder filters with a low pass and high pass, a multi-wave LFO and two modulation busses.

The synth is perfect for creating thick bass sounds and rich leads with that old school feel which many analog enthusiasts crave.

Here a few features which make the VK-1 stand out from the other hardware emulators on the internet:
– VK-1’s oscillators have been measured from hardware
– VK-1’s oscillators have drift and jitter
– VK-1’s oscillators use advanced techniques to avoid aliasing
– VK-1’s filters are nonlinear ZDF with carefully tuned self-oscillation
– VK-1’s envelopes have been matched to hardware

Click here to download the plugin and do support the developers with a donation if you enjoy this plugin.

Free Plugin of the Week – Helm

Helm is a low cpu free polyphonic synthesizer created by Matt Tytel, it is completely open source and specialises in modulation with several envelopes and LFOS available for mapping. Sounds can be created efficiently with a simple waveform selector, sub module, filter and a mixer. The open source nature of the VST allows for savvy users to completely customise their Helm experience.

Helm is released as VST, AU, LV2 and standalone.
OS Requirements:

  • Windows 7 or later
  • MacOS 10.7 or later
  • Ubuntu Trusty 14.04 or later
  • Debian Jessie or later

Click here to the download the plugin and do support the developer with a donation if you enjoy it.

Free Plugin of the Week – BlueARP

For this week’s plugin, we have BlueARP from the developer at OMG Instruments while the interface appears complex, it is quite simple for beginners to grasp with everything listed only on one page. The main thing to be noted is that this free VST is a MIDI plugin so users must route midi information to the plugin from any synth of your choice. This however is far from a limitation because this allows for a lot more control over the Arpeggiated sound as opposed to the VSTS with in-built Arps.

Specifications

Compatibility info

Formats: VST plugin 32-bit, VST plugin 64-bit, AU MIDI-FX 64-bit (for Logic Pro X)
OS: OSX (10.7 or later, tested on 10.11.6), Windows XP or higher

Features

  • Up to 64 steps per pattern;
  • Up to 128 programs per bank;
  • «Chains» feature to chain patterns together into longer «super-patterns»
  • Ability to switch chains on the fly (for live performances);
  • 128 factory patterns to start with;
  • Intuitive matrix editor to program patterns quickly;
  • Almost all controls can be automated;
  • Up to 5 input keys in a chord;
  • Real-time input quantization;
  • Chord recognition;
  • Input range setting for keyboard-split performances;
  • Separate settings for octave and semitone per step transpose;
  • Configurable color schemes (skins);

Click here to download the plugin and do support the developers with a donation if you enjoyed it!

Free Plugin of the Week : ChowMatrix

Chowmatrix is a free delay plugin by the developer at ChowDSP with the basic principle of creating delays using a “Tree” of delay lines. Each of these delay lines have its own properties like time, feedback and pan. The flexibility can allow users to create basic delays that producers are familiar with but also has the capacity to create large reverbs for soundscapes.

The plugin has various nodes from you usual array of filters like HPF and LPF to Distortion and Pitch. This nodes have their own parameters which can be tweaked to process your signal. The most unique aspect of the VST is that the nodes can be physically drawn using the intuitive GUI for a seamless user experience. This might be one of the best alternatives to the Valhalla suite which has taken the internet by storm for good reason.

The plugin is currently available for Windows,Linux, Mac, and iOS, in the following formats: VST/VST3, AU,LV2, AUv3, AAX, and Standalone.

Click here to download the plugin and do support the developer with a donation if you enjoyed it.

Free Plugin of the Week : ODIN 2

The ODIN 2 is a free VST plugin from The Wave Warden. The plugin is inspired by classic analog synths but also adds new features and capabilities to keep it up with the times.

One of the standout features of the ODIN 2 are the extensive modulation options. The plugin includes 4 LFOs and 4 envelopes, allowing you to create complex, evolving sounds with ease. Additionally, the ODIN 2 Free Synth comes with your usual range of built-in effects, including reverb, delay, and distortion, to help you further shape your sounds.

The ODIN 2does not hold back on sound quality. The instrument has that warm, rich analog sound which is reminiscent of classic hardware synths. The oscillator section includes several waveforms, including sawtooth, square, and triangle waves, as well as giving users the ability to draw their own.

It is also relatively easy to use, even for novices. The UI is intuitive, with large knobs and clear labels making it easy to understand the various controls. The developer also provides information on each parameter, with a built-in help system.

Click here to download the plugin and do support the developer if you enjoyed it!

Free Plugin of the Week: ModulAir

Modulair free vst plugin

ModulAir is a modular polyphonic software synthesizer for Microsoft Windows (VST2/VST3/CLAP) and Apple macOS (VST2/VST3/AU/CLAP) written in native C++ code for high performance and low CPU consumption.

The developer, FullBucket Music has released a stable “N” version and is currently working on the BETA version. Despite still being a work in progress the beta version in its current state is quite easy to use with an intuitive modular architecture with a clean rack interface that can be as simple or as complicated as you like.

The main features of ModulAir are:

  • Fully modular architecture
  • Up to 18 modules per patch
  • 57 module types available
  • Polyphonic Voice and monophonic Master modules
  • Up to 64 voices polyphony
  • External signal processing possible
  • Supports MTS-ESP by ODDSound dynamic micro-tuning
  • TUN/SCL micro-tuning file import
  • Resizable user interface (not “N” version!)
  • MIDI Learn – all parameters can be controlled by MIDI CC
  • Plug-in supports Windows and macOS (32 bit and 64 bit)

Click here to download the plugin and if you enjoyed the plugin, do support the developer with a donation.

Free Plugin of the Week: Infinite Space Piano 2

Infinite Space Piano is a plugin from ZAK Sound which aims to provide wide piano tones with textures and environmental ambience. This unique plugin provides users with 3 main sliders which control the type of environmental textures that are added, this of course is along with the traditional Attack and Release parameters for the piano tone, the textures and the complete output as well.

Plugin Requirements:

  • Compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10 or 11 (64 bits).
  • A VST3-compatible DAW.
  • 4GB RAM (Recommended)
  • Compatible with macOS El Capitan to Monterey.
  • A VST3 or AU compatible DAW.
  • 4GB RAM (Recommended)

The plugin does not aim to create the most realistic piano tone out there, the goal is to create textures that evolve and release. With a simple GUI and not too many parameters, this is the perfect plugin to drop in to any lo-fi tracks, dreamy pop or cinematic music.

Click here to download the plugin and do check out the Zak Sound library of other plugins if you enjoy this one.

Plugins of the week: Fracture & Hysteresis

For our plugin showcase of the week, we have two free plugins from the developers at Glitchmachines; Fracture and Hysteresis. These plugins are perfect for adding glitched out artefacts using Delay and Buffer controls.

Here is an overview of the feature set in each plugin:

Fracture:

  • Buffer, Delay & Filter FX
  • 3 Flexible LFOs
  • Effects Chain Configuration
  • Scalable User Interface
  • 100 Factory Presets
  • Win/Mac  VST3/AU  64bit

Hysteresis

  • Feedback-Based Delay
  • Stutter Effect
  • Lowpass Filter
  • Modulation FX
  • 60 Factory Presets
  • Scalable User Interface
  • Win/Mac  VST3/AU  64bit

With Fracture, one can expect to create extremely robotic and sci-fi sounding articulations and textures. On the other hand, Hysteresis offers a more traditional combination of delay effects which can be pushed to extreme lengths but one can control the output with more ease. These two plugins are more than sufficient to liven up anything in your productions from drum loops to pads, if this sound is what you’re looking for.

Click here to download the plugins and if you like what’s on offer, do check out the comprehensive Glitchmachines vst libraries.

Free Plugin of the Week: PG-8X

PG 8X vst plugin available for windows and MAC free audio units inspired by ROLAND JXP

PG-8X is a free VST plugin inspired by the Roland JX-8P with the PG-800 programmer, this synth is one of the many iconic analog synths from the 80s and is very capable of replicating that classic analog sound. Created by Martin Luders, this plugin goes one step beyond most analog synth emulation and can support presets created on the physical synth itself (if you happen to have a JX-8P lying around). Thanks to an active community, a large collection of presets are available including the default collection from the Roland synth itself. But if you’re looking for more than the classic sounds that come with the presets then here is what you can do with it:

Features:

  • up to 12 voice polyphony
  • Two DCO’s with Saw, Square, Pulse, Noise
  • Hard Sync and Ring Modulation
  • Two exponential envelop generators
  • 24 dB resonant LP filter
  • HP filter (3 stages)
  • Stereo Chorus
  • Import and Export of JX-8P Sysex data

Technical information:

  • programmed in C++ using WDL-OL
  • optimized SSE2 code
  • 6 Key assignment modes:
    • Poly (re-assignment of voices)
    • Poly2 (round robin)
    • Unison (two voices in unison)
    • Unison2 (second voice shifted by 1 octave)
    • Mono
    • Mono2 (all voices in unison)
  • MIDI Learn: MIDI Controllers can be assigned by right-clicking on the slider
  • Automatic adjustment of oversampling

In the mid 80s, this synth was advertised as the best of both worlds because of the possibility of creating tones associated with digital synthesizers. While Roland has released their JX-8P VST, the PG-8X comes extremely close to the original and it’s completely free to use in your productions.

Click here to download the plugin and do support the developer with a donation if you enjoy the plugin.

Free Plugin of the Week: Charlatan (VST)

The Charlatan is a virtual analog synthesizer plugin from BlauKraut Engineering with a focus on sound quality and ease of use. It’s a very straightforward plugin with 2 oscillators and your usual array of filters and envelopes but this was intentional; the developers wish to encourage Artists to tweak the few parameters available which can still produce a rich sound reminiscent of Roland – Juno or the Korg -Polysix.

The plugin’s low CPU usage allows for multiple instances which in the developer’s own words make it a “bread and butter” plugin. With a little bit of time, you will discover that the Charlatan is in fact quite capable despite the basic GUI and feature set. The limitations here need to be seen as a feature, since you are not overwhelmed by endless possibilities but can instead focus on creating good sounds.

But, if you just want to get to making a track and experimentation isn’t your forte, there is still a large library of presets available from the larger community which could be a good starting point or the exact sound you’re looking for. Unfortunately, it is only available on Windows but MAC users can go for the more CPU intensive Dexed VST.

Key Features

  • 2 oscillators with shape modulation
  • Oscillator hard synchronization and ring modulation
  • Unison mode with upto 7 voices and stereo spread
  • Stereo noise generator
  • 2 ADSR envelope generators
  • LFO with host tempo synchronization
  • 3 filter types modeled after classic analog hardware: 4-pole (24 db/oct) and 2-pole (12 db/oct) lowpass, bandpass
  • 3 voice modes: Monophonic, Monophonic Legato and 8-voice Polyphonic
  • Ultra-low CPU usage

The limited nature of the charlatan might put those with more experience with synthesis off, but those looking to emulate the analog synths of the past have all their needs catered to with this free plugin.

Click here to download the plugin.

Contact

+91 9886 261 674
+91 9742 1941 83

info@mixlabs.in

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Bengaluru, Karnataka 560043